CAMHS seven-day service
After the Chair moved on, Devine raised concern that the HSE service plan did not really provide the promised seven-day CAMHS service despite policy commitments. She argued support is most needed from Thursday night to Monday morning and pressed for proper implementation.
Senator Devine did not indicate but I will allow her to speak as she has been sitting there a long time.
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I asked my very wise clerk if Senator Devine had indicated because I did not see her, but I will allow her in.
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It was my fault. That is grand. I thank the Cathaoirleach very much. I will not be long.
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That is great. The HSE produced its service plan for 2019. It is working towards a seven-day service for the child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, to ensure support for vulnerable young persons in line with the policy of Connecting for Life. A couple of weeks ago, I received a response which indicated in black and white that there is no plan to implement the 7-7 service. The period from Thursday evening to early Monday morning is when the demand for psychological and psychiatric services is at its greatest. That is the reason we were hopeful that we would have not just a 7-7 service but a 24-7 service.
I raised this issue on the Commencement last week and I received a response from the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, rather than the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. I was unimpressed by his response in which he did not once mention a 7-7 service. It was a long spiel about the history of the HSE going back forever and about the current services but not the services that were promised for 2019. He said he would bring my concerns to the Minister. I look forward to some response because a 7-7 service is the minimum we must try to provide for children under the 2019 service plan. There was also a letter from community healthcare organisation, CHO, 9 stating that it cannot put anybody on the mental health waiting list who is referred. It also outlined its regret in having to inform people that, due to the high referral numbers, the primary care mental health service has ceased for the foreseeable future. I would welcome some clarity from the Minister on the 7-7 service and mental health services in CHO 9. I thank the Cathaoirleach and I also thank the Leader for his generosity.